It has taken two years, but Ford has finally rolled out the production version of the Focus RS. But it is more of a tease than a performance thoroughbred.
Ford says it was inspired by the Focus World Rally Championship racer but the RS drives the front wheels, not all four, as in the rally car.

The RS, due in Europe in October, is powered by a 158kW turbo version of Ford's 2.0-litre Duratec engine – that is, 65 percent more powerful than the standard 2.0. Ford is making much of the new engine's robustness, in response to the UK press running leaked stories about prototypes self-destructing.

Company sources reckon the turbo engine should deliver a top speed of 230kmh and a 0-100kmh time of 6.7 seconds.

To keep the front wheels on the tarmac and pointing ahead, Ford has incorporated an automatic torque-biasing differential. This is aimed at overcoming torque steer, for which high-powered front-drive set-ups are notorious.

Ford says that under hard standing-start acceleration in the wet, the front wheels may spin, but the car will remain straight.

The maker claims 70 percent of the hatch's basic components have been "uprated, re-engineered or completely redesigned".

Outside, the styling picks up on the WRC car's distinctive lines. The bonnet, tailgate, doors and roof panel are said to be unchanged; the RS's steel quarter panels are welded in place off the production line.

The cabin trim is dominated by alcantara and carbon-fibre (for the centre console) and enlivened by an aluminium handbrake lever, short-throw gear lever, drilled pedals and an engine start button. Climate control air-conditioning and a six-stack CD player are standard. Ford spent "countless hours" with maker Sparco developing the rally-style seats.

Pricing is expected to be on par with, or marginally cheaper than, a standard-issue Subaru WRX – in the UK, at least.

Ford Australia this week confirmed it has no plans to bring the RS here. It will pitch the 127kW Focus ST170 as the performance version instead.

Not that the ST170 is exactly under-equipped. With a close ratio six speed Getrag box, 17" wheels and tyres, 4 pot vented discs and a Recaro interior PLUS 127kw from a lightweight vehicle - it should be a nice little rocket.

wouldn't mind one as a daily driver actually.. cheap to run and with a few little mods, a "little rocket" as you state Russell.
But damn that stopping speed!! I would just be hitting the brakes all the time for that G-Force feel

A few issues ago in Wheels (I think), they had one of the old hands of rallying giving the RS it's work.. he praised basically every aspect of it, but particularly the brakes... time I dug that article out again..